For graduates and prospective employees to gain access to the limited opportunities in the work environment, they need to improve and educate themselves as well as keep current within their respective industries. That’s the view of Juliette Fourie, CEO of training provider Metro Minds, who believes that while employment opportunities are limited in Gauteng, it remains a hub for most decision makers.
“At a tertiary level, the lack of practical skills is evident and graduates are really struggling to adapt to the workplace and perform well, and are not as productive as organisations want them to be. Due to the lack of practical thinking at these levels, it is paramount that private institutions invest in the development of more simulated and practical programmes,” said Fourie. Simulated training helped improve productivity and performance, reduce errors and build confidence in the workplace, creating a more effective employee, she added.
She pointed out that a 2012 study had found that within the oil and gas industry alone simulated learning had reflected – on average – a total saving of US$15.3 million per plant per year. In addition to its wide training portfolio, Metro Minds now offers a Gap Year Programme to enable matriculants to achieve formal qualifications by exposing them to practical experience in many different kinds of businesses.
